One, the origin

On the origin of the winter, at first appeared in the canonical book of the "moon order seventy-two wait collection", the book said: "Li, build the beginning." It also says: "Winter, the end is also, the collection of all things." It means that at the beginning of winter, all crops have been harvested and stored up, which represents not only the coming of winter, but also the end of crops and hibernation of animals.

The winter season is the season of crop harvesting and animal hibernation, which also means that the winter grass and trees have withered, and everything has entered a state of hibernation, waiting for the arrival of spring, and then bursting into life again.

Two, customs

1, welcome winter

Lidong and the spring, summer, and autumn collectively referred to as the four Li, an important festival in ancient society. In the past, it was a farming society, laboring for a year, using the day of winter to rest and reward the family for their hard work.

2, He Dong

He Dong is also known as the "worship of winter", in the Han Dynasty that has this custom. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cui Ding's "Four People's Monthly Order" said, "On the day of the winter solstice, we enter the wine and food, and pay a visit to the masters, as on the day of the first day of the month." In the Song Dynasty, people change new clothes on this day, celebrating the exchange, as in the New Year's Day. Qing Dynasty "to the day for the winter solstice, the scholarly family to congratulate the elders, and cross out to visit.

Fine people, men and women, also must be more fresh clothes to greet each other, called "worship winter." (See Gu Lu "Qing Jia Lu" Volume XI). Since the Republic of China, the traditional customs of winter greeting, seems to have simplified the trend. But some activities, gradually fixed, programmed, more universal. Such as winter school, worship activities, are held in the winter.

3, eat dumplings

The original name of the dumplings is said to be called "Jiao Er", is China's medical sage Zhang Zhongjing first invented.

The story of his "Cold-removing Jiao Er Soup" still circulates in Chinese folklore. The story of his "ear soup" is still popular in our country. "If you don't serve the dumpling bowl at the beginning of winter, no one will take care of you if you freeze your ears off." The beginning of winter means the arrival of winter, and as the weather cools down, your ears will easily get frostbitten if they are exposed to the elements, so it's a good idea for you to eat some dumplings that resemble your ears to make up for your ears, as this is the most thoughtful way of caring for your loved ones at home.

The above reference? Baidu Encyclopedia - Ridong